Poultry-crate



(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 1. J. H. ANTROBUS.

POULTRY CRATE.

No. 561,852. 7 Q Patented June 9, 1896.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. H. ANTROBUS.

POULTRY CRATE.

No. 561,852. Patented June 9, 1896.

ANDREW EGHAHAM. PNUTO-IJTEQWhSNIKGI'ONJC.

ilNiTED STATES PATENT @EETbE.

JOll;\ ll. ANTROBUS, OF OTTUMlVA, IOXVA.

POU LTRY-C RATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 581 ,852, dated June 9, 1896.

Application filed March 28, 1896.

T0 a/ZZ wfwnt it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. ANTROBUS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ottuinwa, in the county of lVapello and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Poultryflrates; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of thesame, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The present invention has for its object to provide a folding crate for the transportation of poultry that will possess the necessary strength and durability and that may be readily folded in compact form whennot in use and the parts as readily and conveniently extended and held in such position when the crate is to be used, which objects are attained by a crate constructed substantially as shown in the drawings and hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure 1 of the drawings represents a perspective view of a crate constructed in accordance with my invention with the parts held in an extended position ready for use; 1* ig. 2, alongitudinal vertical section of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, an end view showing the crate in a folded position.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the bottom or base of the poultry-crate, which may be of any suitable size and of any desirable construction, and, if preferred, may be provided with longitudinal cleats a, secured to the under side of said bottom or base, and also diagonal cleats Z) may be used, thereby giving increased strength.

At the ends of the bottom or base A and upon the upper side thereof are suitable cleats c, to which are suitably hinged the sect-ions B, which, together with sections G, form the sides of the crate when extended, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The sections 13 O are hinged together, as shown. at d, the lower section being hinged at c to the transverse cleat c and the upper section hinged at f to the section I), which section forms the top of the crate when in an extended position.

The sections E, which form the ends of the crate when extended, are hinged directly to the upper side of the bottom or base A, as

Serial N0- 685,l62, (N0 model.)

shown at g, and when in an upright position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the end sections bear against the transverse cleats c and supports 71, which supports are secured to the cleats.

A central transverse section F is provided for the purpose of dividing the crate into two separate compartments when said section is brought to an upright position. This central section F is hinged at t to the upper side of the bottom or base A, and when in an up right position it bears against a transverse cleat 7. which is centrally located and secured to the upper side of the bottom or base.

The two sections B C, forming together the side of the crate, are hinged, respectively, to the transverse cleat 7s and to a similar clcat l, secured to the under side of the top section D, the points of hinging being shown at m a, respectively.

One of the end sections E connects with the central section F by means of a brace-rod G, which is pivotally connected at its ends to metal clips 0, projecting, respectively, from the inner sides of the end and central sections, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

By means of the brace-rod G the end and central sections are brought to an upright position simultaneously, the raising of the end section carrying with it the central section, and when said sections are in position, as shown in Fig. 2, the sections are braced by the rod and held by suitable spring-latches H, which are connected to the top section 1) near the ends thereof.

There is no latch necessary to hold the central section F in position, as that is done by means of the brace-rod G, and the holding of the end section by means of the spring-latch.

The top section D may be provided with suitable slides I, of anysuitable construction, to admit of access to the interior of the crate in supplying the crate with poultry or removing it therefrom. These slides areheld closed by a suitable spring-latch J, which latches, together with the latches II, may be of any well-known and preferred construction.

\Vhen the crate is in a folded position, as shown in of the drawings, the top section D is held down in place by a pivoted loop K at each end thereof, said loops being con- TOO nected to the under side of the top section and engaging a pin r upon the outer side of the supports h, the hinged sections B 0 folding down upon each other, as shown, and retained in such position by the top section D. When it is desired to use the crate, the pivoted loops K are disengaged from the pins 1', and by means of the pull-cords L the sections B O, which are hinged together, are brought to an upright position.

The upper one of the hinged sections forming the sides of the crate being hinged to the top section will act as a lever to raise the top section when the cords L are pulled upon. The inner ends of the cords L are connected to the outer ends of lever-arms 19, which arms are suitably connected to the sections B, the opposite ends of the cords extending out through the sides of the crate within convenient reach.

The several sections of thecrate may be made of slats in any suitable and well-known manner, and any changes in the details of construction coming within ordinary mechanical skill may be made without departing from the principle of the invention.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A poultry-crate consisting of a suitable bottom or base, a suitable top section provided with slides and spring-latches for holding them closed, a central hinged section for dividing the crate into two compartments, end sections hinged to the bottom or base, and the sides of the crate, each side comprising two sections hinged together and to the top section and transverse cleats upon the bottom or base, and pull-cords connecting with the side sections, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A poultry-crate consisting of a suitable bottom or base, a top section, the sides to the crate formed of two sections hinged together, and to the top section and transverse cleats upon the bottom or base, hinged end sections, and a central hinged section connecting with one of the end sections by means of apivoted brace-rod, and spring-latches for holding the end sections in an upright position, substan' tially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN II. ANTROBUS.

YVitnesses:

XV. XV. EPPs, N. A. Coon. 

